I first visited Tokyo’s Robot Restaurant in 2016, and it completely blew my mind. It was outrageous and ridiculous; perfect for fun-seekers who enjoy life’s wackier side. Like nothing I’d seen before, it was a crazy mash-up of robots, lasers, pounding music and a total sensory overload.
I created this review and guide after that visit.
Update: Robot Restaurant is currently closed, although I did get to see its brief reincarnation in 2023. The same team now runs the Samurai Restaurant show in the heart of Kabukicho, Shinjuku, at the same venue.
Disclosure: I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you if you book through the Samurai Restaurant link below.
Check availability for the Samurai Restaurant show.
Robot Restaurant cabaret show: Quick links
- Why visit the Robot Restaurant at Shinjuku, Tokyo
- Is it worth it?
- Top tips: Get the most from your trip
- Best places to stay near the Robot Restaurant
- Robot Restaurant: How to get there and location
Why visit the Robot Restaurant at Shinjuku, Tokyo
The Robot Restaurant cabaret show is pure fun. A once-in-a-lifetime pleasure palace for people who don’t take life too seriously.
Be entertained as you’ve never been with an insane mash-up of crazy characters, lavish costumes, banging music, and dazzling lights at a wacky venue.
Themes from Japanese culture and folklore run throughout the show. A dizzying array of Kabuki theatre, samurai, ninjas, Taiko drummers, monsters, geisha, and of course, robots!
Set in the heart of Kabukicho – Shinjuku’s famous red-light district – you’re in for a feast of entertainment and neon lights. Around Kabukicho, you’ll see Godzilla looming high above the streets, its iconic red gate, and endless bars and restaurants. Why not watch the show, eat yakitori (chicken skewers) at Omoide Yokocho (known as ‘Piss Alley’), go bar-hopping in Golden Gai, and crash out in a ‘Love Hotel’.
On my journey, I’ve seen some weird stuff while travelling for a decade and living in London and Japan. For me, the Robot Restaurant show is the ultimate theatre of pulsating energy, weirdness and originality.
For the crazy ones out there, it’s a unique experience you’ll never forget!
In the words of the late, great, Japan-loving Anthony Bourdain:
I’ve seen Jimi Hendrix. I’ve seen Janis Joplin. I’ve seen David Bowie Diamond Dogs. I’ve seen Colleen Dewhurst and Jason Robards in A Moon for the Misbegotten, directed by José Quintero on Broadway, considered one of the greatest productions ever. And this was the greatest show I’ve ever seen in my life.
Robot Restaurant cabaret show: Planning your trip
Here’s what you need to know to plan your trip.
Robot Restaurant’s daily main showtimes
The main Robot Restaurant cabaret show runs at the same times every week. There’s also a more family-friendly afternoon show from Friday to Sunday, which includes photos with the robots.
| Day | Show Times | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday | 3.30pm | 5.30pm | 7.30pm | 9.30pm |
| Sunday | 3.30pm | 5.30pm | 7.30pm | 9.30pm |
| Monday | 3.30pm | 5.30pm | 7.30pm | 9.30pm |
| Tuesday | 3.30pm | 5.30pm | 7.30pm | 9.30pm |
| Wednesday | 3.30pm | 5.30pm | 7.30pm | 9.30pm |
| Thursday | 3.30pm | 5.30pm | 7.30pm | 9.30pm |
| Friday | 3.30pm | 5.30pm | 7.30pm | 9.30pm |
Note: You must check in at least 30 minutes before the main show starts.
Robot Restaurant pre-show and main showtimes
I recommend you arrive before the Live Robot Music opening act. It’s performed in the dazzling and multi-coloured Rainbow Lounge.
| Entry & Opening Act |
Main Show: Robot Cabaret |
|
|---|---|---|
| First Show | 2.00pm | 3.30pm |
| Second Show | 4.00pm | 5.30pm |
| Third Show | 6.30pm | 7.30pm |
| Fourth Show | 8.30pm | 9.30pm |
How long is the Robot Restaurant show?
The main Robot Restaurant cabaret show lasts for 90 minutes. During that time, there are a few breaks between acts where you can buy refreshments.
The whole event, including the pre-show, is around 2 hours and 30 minutes.
For example, event timings for the 5.55pm main show are as follows.
| Time | Schedule |
|---|---|
| 5.00pm | Doors open |
| Drinks in the lounge bar | |
| 5.15pm | Opening act music in the lounge bar |
| 5.45pm | Seated in the main show area |
| Refreshments served | |
| 5.55pm | Main show starts |
| Refreshments served between acts | |
| 7.25pm | Main show finishes |
| 7.30pm | Leave venue |
Robot Restaurant menu: Food and drinks
The Robot Restaurant offers plenty of bento box light meals, snacks, and drinks in the evening. But, contrary to its name, it’s not a restaurant!
Light meals
Japanese-style bento box light meals are available in three flavours:
- Bento box: Assorted meat, fish, vegetables and rice
- Grilled beef with rice and vegetables
- Sushi
All meals are served with a bottle of mineral water.
Snacks
Before and during the main cabaret show, light bites and snacks are available:
- Cotton candy
- Doritos
- Popcorn
- Robot chips
Drinks
The lounge bar and cabaret show are well-stocked with alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, including:
- Beer
- Champagne
- Chu-hi (Japanese shochu mix)
- Cocktails: cassis, Campari, gin, rum, sake, tequila and vodka-based
- Japanese shochu
- Japanese whisky
- Shots: gin, Jagermeister, rum, tequila and vodka
- Soft non-alcoholic drinks: Coca-Cola, fruit juices, green tea, ginger ale, ice (coffee, milk and tea), oolong tea, root beer and soda
- Wine: plum, red and white
Look out for free drinks promotions and discounts with Robot Restaurant tickets!
Robot Restaurant, Tokyo: Is it worth it?
Is the Robot Restaurant worth it? You bet it is!
If crazy, bonkers, insane and ridiculous resonate with you, you’ll love the Robot Restaurant. Only Tokyo could put on an evening cabaret show so outlandish, fantastically fun and damn right weird!
Believe me, you won’t see anything like this in Las Vegas or anywhere else.
With so much attention to detail that’s gone into the props, costumes, visuals and sounds, it’s no surprise most reviews are positive.
The performers’ happy vibes, vigour and dedication made it for me. They all looked like they were having such a wonderful time!
Top tips: Get the most from your trip
Get the most out of your Robot Restaurant cabaret show trip with my top tips!
1. Watch the pre-show Robot Restaurant lounge bar opening act
Don’t miss the pre-show lounge bar act! Listening to a live artist singing soft melodies with a robot band is worthy of the main show itself. Soaking up the atmosphere with a drink (or three!) in the spaceship-like room gets you in the cabaret mood.
And getting there on time will make sure you…
2. Don’t arrive late
Arrive on time for the pre-show start, as mentioned above; it’s fantastic!
And don’t be late for the main cabaret show, or else you won’t get in! Being on time is essential in Japan, and the show must go on.
Don’t leave it to chance. Arrive early!
3. Young children
Loud sound effects, flashing lights and costumes make the cabaret show unsuitable for young children.
The Robot Restaurant has toned down the more risqué elements of the show, so you don’t have to worry about that. Although Kabukicho is a red-light district tame by many standards, it still has a seedy underbelly.
Not the ideal place for a family day out!
Best to use your judgment on whether to bring children. The afternoon show (Monday to Friday) has photo opportunities with the robots if you do.
4. Dress code and behaviour
You’re not allowed to wear sunglasses or extravagant costumes (like large wigs) at the show. And if you have visible tattoos, you’ll need to cover up.
Also, don’t arrive drunk or dishevelled, as you won’t get in.
5. Robot Restaurant or cabaret show?
A Robot cabaret show with light meals and snacks would be more apt to describe it! While a bento box is a novelty for some (and the food in Japan is always high quality), it’s not a restaurant.
Tokyo is the world’s number one food destination; have your evening meal elsewhere! Or, take a food tour in Tokyo to discover the city’s culinary culture.
6. Book early during Japan’s tourist high season
The Robot Restaurant always sells days (or weeks!) in advance during cherry blossom season in March and April. And in the weeks leading up to it, you’ll find it challenging to get the exact dates and times.
Book as early as possible to avoid disappointment!
Other busy seasons include autumn leaves (mid-November to early December), Japan’s Golden Week holiday (29 April to 5 May), and the period around Christmas.
7. Save money with discount tickets and coupons
Save over 30% on booking in advance so you can enjoy more of Tokyo’s nightlife for less!
Best places to stay near the Robot Restaurant
The Robot Restaurant’s located in Kabukicho, a few hundred metres from Shinjuku Station. One of Tokyo’s premier entertainment districts, it’s brimming with restaurants, bars and shops.
Shinjuku evenings buzz with excitement and neon lights, making it an ideal base in Tokyo. Here are my top picks of places to stay near the Robot Restaurant.
| Hotel | Distance | Rating/Type |
|---|---|---|
| Hotel Gracery Shinjuku | 0.1 km | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Hotel |
| Book And Bed Shinjuku | 0.1 km | ⭐⭐ Capsule Hotel |
| Citadines Central Shinjuku | 0.2 km | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Hotel |
| Super Hotel Kabukicho | 0.3km | ⭐⭐⭐ Hotel |
| Hotel An Kabukicho | 0.4 km | ⭐⭐ Love Hotel |
| Shinjuku Urban Hotel | 0.4km | ⭐⭐ Hotel |
| Bespoke Hotel Shinjuku | 0.5Km | ⭐⭐⭐ Hotel |
| Hotel & Spa J-Mex Kabukicho | 0.5 km | ⭐⭐⭐ Love Hotel |
| Best Hotel Shinjuku | 0.5 km | ⭐⭐ Hotel |
| The Global Hotel Tokyo | 0.5 km | ⭐ Capsule Hotel |
Robot Restaurant: How to get there and location
Tokyo’s Robot Restaurant is in Kabukicho, Shinjuku’s red-light and entertainment district.
Robot Restaurant address:
1-7-1 Kabukicho
Shinjuku-ku
Tokyo
Japan
Zipcode: 160-0021
How to get to Robot Restaurant from Shinjuku Station
- Shinjuku Station (East Gate, East Exit) is a 5-minute walk, 400m (1/4 mile) to the Robot Restaurant
- Shinjuku Station is served by JR East Railway and Tokyo Metro subway services
Shinjuku Station to Robot Restaurant: Walking route map and directions
To get from Shinjuku Station to Robot Restaurant on foot, follow the blue dotted line on the map and the instructions below.
Leave JR Shinjuku Station from the East Gate. Exit the ticket barrier and follow the yellow sign above to ‘Kabukicho’.
Go up the stairs on the left-hand side. At street level, keep to the left and walk ahead.
Take a right at the first pedestrian crossing and continue across the square until you see Gucci. Cross the main road and walk up the side road between Gucci and Mizuho Bank.
Continue walking in this direction. Cross the main road (Yasukuni Dori) and walk up the side road to the right of Family Mart and pass under the ‘Kabukicho Sakura-dori St.’ sign.
Continue walking until you reach the Robot Restaurant. Look out for the big neon ‘Robot Restaurant’ sign; you can’t miss it!
How to get to Robot Restaurant from other stations nearby
The Robot Restaurant is also close to these stations:
Higashi-Shinjuku Station
- A1 Exit from Higashi-Shinjuku Station is a 9-minute walk, 700m (0.4 miles)
- Travel to Higashi-Shinjuku Station by Tokyo Metro subway
Shinjuku-sanchome Station
- C6 Exit from Shinjuku-sanchome Station is an 8-minute walk, 650m (0.4 miles)
- Travel to Shinjuku-sanchome Station by Tokyo Metro subway
Seibu-Shinjuku Station
- Main Exit from Seibu-Shinjuku Station is a 5-minute walk, 300m (0.2 miles)
- Travel to Seibu-Shinjuku Station by Seibu-Shinjuku Railway
Robot Restaurant cabaret show
The Robot Restaurant cabaret show is a unique experience you will never find anywhere else. The intelligent mix of traditional Japanese percussion, singing, and dancing contrasts with contemporary high-energy, dazzling lights, robots, monsters, and dancing girls.
Be enchanted by this spectacular, choreographed show of special effects, LED lights and flashy costumes. The Robot Restaurant in Shinjuku, Tokyo, is the craziest, fun-packed show you can only find in Japan!
Find out more about my food and drink adventures and travel experiences with Food Tours Japan.
Images:
– Central Road Kabukicho Shinjyuku Tokyo by Kakidai is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
Discovering washoku through travel in Japan. Sharing the best Japanese food and drink experiences. Living in Osaka. Join me on my journey!
